Wardriving

WARDRIVING

ContentsIntroductionOrigin of WardrivingEquipmentGPSLegalitiesConclusion

IntroductionWardriving is the act of searching for Wi-Fi wireless networks by a person in a moving vehicle, using a Laptop or PDA.Wardriving was first developed by Pete Shipley in April 2001.Wardrivers use GPS devices to measure the location of the network.For better range, antennas are used.They vary from omnidirectional to highly directional.

Origin of WardrivingThe term "Wardriving" is adapted from the term "Wardialing." Wardialing is/was the act of dialing phone numbers with a modem at random or in a sequence to attempt to find a computer on the other end of the line. Once a computer is found, the person who discovered it could attempt to gain access, log the discovery, or basically do what he/she wants.

EquipmentGetting Hardware

Softwares used

Antenna

Getting hardwareLaptop setup

PDA setup

Laptop setup A laptop computer A wireless NIC Card An external antenna A pigtail to connect the external antenna to the wireless NIC A handheld global positioning system (GPS) unit A GPS data cable A WarDriving software program An AC adapter power inverter

Software for Laptop Software for wardriving is freely available on the Internet.

NetStumbler for Windows Kismet for Linux KisMac for Macintosh.

PDA setup A PDA with a data cableA wireless NIC CardAn external antennaA pigtail to connect the external antenna to the wireless NIC A handheld global positioning system (GPS) unitA GPS data cableA WarDriving software program

Software for PDAMicrosoft Pocket PC -MiniStumbler

HP/Compaq iPAQ -MiniStumbler

Sharp Zaurus -PDA version of Kismet

Typical Wardriving Setup

GPS Mouse802.11 network sniffing software (e.g. Netstumbler)Text to speech software

"new network found. ssid is thd-wireless. channel 6. network open." Power CableGPS SoftwareDisplayNotebook computer

Kismet Kismet is an 802.11 layer2 wireless network detector, sniffer, and intrusion detection system can sniff 802.1 lb, 802.1 la, and 802.1 lg traffic Kismet is fully passive and undetectable when in operation. automatically tracks all networks in range able to detect (or infer) hidden networks, attack attempts, find rogue accesspoints, and find unauthorized users

NetStumbler NetStumbler is a tool for Windows that facilitates detection of Wireless LANs using the 802.1 lb, 802.1 la and 802.1 lg WLAN standards. The program is commonly used for:

WardrivingVerifying network configurations.Finding locations with poor coverage in one's WLAN.

Detecting causes of wireless interference.

Detecting unauthorized ("rogue") access points.

Aiming directional antennas for long-haul WLAN links.

MiniStumbler Mini Stumbler is a tool for Windows that allows you to detect Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) using 802.1 lb, 802.1 la and 802.1 lg. It has many uses:

Verify that your network is set up the way you intended.

Find locations with poor coverage in your WLAN.

Detect other networks that may be causing interference on your network.

Detect unauthorized "rogue" access points in your workplace.Help aim directional antennas for long-haul WLAN links.

AntennaOmni Directional Antenna: 90% of the time, for warrdriving, an omnidirectional antenna is used. Directional Antenna: This can be useful when you are trying to pinpoint the exact location of specific signals

GPSIf you have a GPS unit, you can attach it to your computer in order to log atitude/longitude coordinates of any signals discovered. This can be used later to generate your own mapsAlso, if you have a mapping program, such as Streets and Trips or Mappoint, you can have live position tracking to show where you are .

Legalities

Is scanning for wireless networks illegal?

In most states, no.

It isn't illegal to scan for wireless networks. You're not

trespassing into another persons property, when scanning.

Is it illegal to connect to network of someone?

In most states, yes.

The analogy used is: "Can you go into

someones house because their door is

unlocked?".

ConclusionWe discussed the origin of the term Wardriving and how to set up it.wardriving is very useful in detecting and reporting the existence of insecure wireless networks, ostensibly without actually accessing the network .Wardriving may also involve illegally accessing and monitoring the networks once so discovered